My 10gal fry tank has a aqua clear 20 filter and i need a better soloution to prevent the fry from getting sucked into it. I currently have a stocking over it but i found after a day or two the water just doesn't flow it dribbles, i also tried a piece of spondge but fry got sucked in and died! this also prevented the filter from running decent. So I ask all of you fry tank experiancers.........

what should i use to prevent the fry from getting sucked into the filter, spending more money isn't in my budget atm as i current have no income anymore.

thank you.

You happen to have a pump? You could make a sponge filter from directions of this site using a fish food container.

no pump here, and this filter is doing terrible!
i need some advice please or else i will remove the filter all together.

bump

Forget putting the sponge into the tube. As you found out, that will plug up fast. What I have done is take a large block of filter sponge and made a hole about 2/3 of the way through the middle by using the filter tube in my hand as if it was a drill bit. I twisted it back and forth while pushing it down into the sponge, cut the bottom of the resulting plug loose with a knife and then put the normal filter tube cage down into the resulting hole. It slows the flow at the surface of the sponge block because there is so much area for water to flow through but it doesn't slow the flow through the filter much. Because the surface is large, it doesn't plug up fast like a stocking would. The slow flow at the surface means its easy for my fry to swim away without being caught in a fast current. A side benefit is the filter sponge on the inlet keeps the filter media cleaner longer and acts as a biological filter in the bargain.

i will have to give this a try and i will post updates. ty for the idea.

Fry tanks hard hard to maintain...is yours bare bottom or sand? Internal filters i found you have to choose carefully. I had sand in the bottom of my fry tank and i bought a round aqua one internal sponge filter in mine. You know the round ones that also supply air into water most lfs or pet shops and aquariums use? They basically hook up to you air pump and require now power otherwise.I got it cheap on ebay. It doesnt create a whirpool for them and is easy to clean and take care of.

I have it now as an added filter in my cichlid tank because i dont have a fry tank now. I use my planted tank for that purpose.

I tried to google a pic for you but cant find one..

OldMan47 is on the money, the sponge goes on the outside. Here's an example of an AC with a piece of sponge for a pre-filter;







Remove the sponge pre-filter from the tank the same way you would a sponge filter. Submerse an appropriate sized fish safe container that will hold the sponge, a cup works well. Remove the pre-filter submerged, take it out with a cup of water. This prevents debris from running out of the sponge.

i tried the spondge method it didn't work well. so i cut the stocking and used an elastic to hold it in place. now the water seems to be flowing okay so far. i will look into the spondge filter. ty.

Turn the Aquaclear down. The intake pipe can be moved a little bit from side to side. You move it one way to maximise the water flow, and the other way to reduce the flow. This combined with a big sponge on the intake should reduce the number of fry being sucked up.
Air operated corner sponge filters are the best for fry tanks.